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18 June 2017

10 Summer 2017 anime you should pay attention to

After my huge posts of the Spring season, I found it necessary to refine my anime recommendation process. No, I'm not going to do another starting point blog post where I watch EVERY new anime of the season. That process is a little too draining for me.

Last season I watched 40+ first episodes of the new anime series and I quickly came to realize that most are just generic and bland. And if you ever want to get tired and annoyed of something you love, there is no better way than watch too many bland and generic shows.

BAD anime have something going for them. They can be meme machines (like Berserk 2017 or Eromanga Sensei), or can evoke discussion (ID-0). Good anime can have big followings (My Hero Academia, Boruto), can make you smile or emotional (Sakura Quest, Alice & Zoroku) or evoke thoughtful discussion (KADO). But mediocre anime? They got nothing.

So to avoid getting an anime bore-out, I'm only going to focus on these 10 new anime this upcoming season.

10 Summer anime to look forward to

Note: These are ranked in sequence of air dates, not in preference

Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler

Genre: Psychological, Drama, Mystery

Source: Manga

Studio: MAPPA

First episode will air: July 1

Why: This is a dark gambling anime. People have been hyping this manga a lot, even before an anime adaptation was announced (both Aki and The Anime man have been promoting it as a favorite manga). And while I haven't checked the manga out yet for myself, I may save that for now and check out the anime instead.
Also, it's a MAPPA production, so quality is assured. So hype: YES! This series has the highest potential of being the best anime of the season.

Risks: See further below, with project Altair

Katsugeki / Touken Ranbu

Genre: Fantasy, Action

Source: Cardgame

Animated by: Studio Ufotable

First episode will air: July 2

Why?: It's Studio UFOtable. If they're able to do everything in-house, you know it's going to be awesome; no questions asked.

Risks: Based upon a CARD GAME. Also, this is director Toshiyuki Shirai's debut as full series director. He's been episode director on multiple UFOtable franchises before, but never a full series. We'll see how he handles this.

Fate/Apocrypha

Genre: Fantasy, Action

Source: Light Novel

Studio: A1-Pictures (eeeew)

First episode will air: July 2

Why: I'm a Fate franchise fan, so I'm definitely checking this out. But since Ufotable already had its hands full with the "Heaven's Feel" movies, this time it's thus up to A1-Pictures to handle this adaptation (sigh).

Risks: A1-Pictures in combination with Light Novels, nuff said. The studio's track record with adapting light novels is abysmal. Basically this means a good first half and a mediocre second half?

Cleanliness boy Aoyami / Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun

Genre: Sports, comedy

Source: Manga

Studio: Studio Hibari

Airdate: July 3

Why: A comedy about a soccer player that also a "neat freak". And if there are two things that do not combine, it's soccer and staying clean. Also, it's done by Studio Hibari, who has made fame with the baseball anime Major.

Risk: May be as good as Sakamoto Desu ga. But it might also become an annoying one-trick pony anime. We'll see.

7O3X Fastest Finger First / Nana Maru San Batsu

Genre: Games, Seinen

Source: Manga

Studio: TMS Entertainment

First episode will air: July 5

Why: This is an anime about competitive quizzing. Quizzing is one of Belgium's national sports (in a matter of speaking), so color me intrigued. Let's see what TMS can do with this new seinen series

Risk: I have no idea how TMS can make a quiz anime look interesting for the general public! I'm going to be rooting, but still...

Vatican Kiseki Chousakan

Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, drama

Source: Novel

Studio: J.C. Staff

First episode will air: July 7

Why: A scientist and a crypto-analysis expert investigate "supernatural miracles". Has a look-and-feel that I like and it's a Supernatural mystery.

Risks: The promo video shows basically nothing and the buzz surrounding this is almost non-existent. Could be a total dud or a hidden gem.

Project Altair / Shoukoku no Altair

Genre: Adventure, historical, drama

Source: manga

Studio: MAPPA

First episode will air: July 8

Why: It's an awards-winning manga about a historical (fantasy) variant of Turkey? Talk about original setting for an anime. The plot summary also makes me want to check this out. This might be REALLY interesting.

Risks: Wait, so this is also done by MAPPA? Two new anime in one season? Let's hope this "double-bill" doesn't create problems in the production process.

Jikan no Shihaisha

Genre: Supernatural

Source: Manga

Studio: Project No.9

First episode will air: July 8

Why: Time manipulators? Interesting concept. Let's see if it rolls as well as it sounds, or if this is going to be a trainwreck

Risk: The studio hasn't really had a "hit show" under their belt as of yet.

Hell Girl S4 / Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi

Genre: Supernatural, mystery, horror

Source: Original

Studio: Deen

First episode will air: July 15 (though not sure if the first is an old episode or new one).

Why: Originally ranked very high on my to-watch list, but then I found out that it's only 6 new episodes, with 6 older ones just being re-aired (because the last season was 8 years ago, or so?)

Risk: Only being 6 new episodes. That may put many people off. Also, 8 years after the last season means that a lot of interest in the franchise is gone by now. Maybe have Crunchyroll stream the older seasons at the same time may pick up interest again (hint, hint).

THE REFLECTION

Genre: Superhero

Source: Original

Studio: Studio Deen

First episode will air: July 22

Why: This is Studio Deen's new series and it's superhero based AND it's an original AND Marvel legend Stan Lee is involved (lol, wut?).

Risk: From what I read, people are afraid it's just going to be a My Hero Academia clone, with little original flavor. Guess we'll see.

Movies to look forward to

I can't really put these two in my top 10 list, since it might take months or years before I get to see them. But the following movies will release this summer that do trigger my interest.

Koukyoushihen: Eureka Seven - Hi-Evolution 1

Genre: Mecha, Sci-fi, drama

Source: Original

Studio: Bones

Airdate: September 16 (JP only, release date may vary from country to country)

Why: I'd almost forgotten Bones were doing a movie trilogy surrounding the original Eureka 7. Want!

Risk: I haven't forgotten about Eureka 7 AO. Do not want that happen again...

Mary and the Witch's Flower / Mary to Majo no Hana

Genre:

Source: Book

Studio: Studio Ponoc

Airdate: July 8 (JP only, release date may vary from country to country)

Why: Studio Ponoc is former Ghibli director Ishikawa Nonoichi (The Secret World of Arrietty & When Marnie was there) + many ex-Ghibli staff. Together they have made a movie in "Ghibli-style" that has had quite some buzz surrounding it. Curious to find out more.

Risk: None

Noteworthy mentions of which I haven't watched enough

Owarimonogatri 2nd Season: I need to catch up on the Monogatari franchise.

New Game 2nd Season: Never watched the first, but it's generally well received.